Fire alarm Maintenance

Fire Systems Ltd is proud of its reputation in providing the very best care, after sale service and maintenance.

Fire Systems Ltd belief is to build a long term relationships with their clients to ensure the client is always considered as individuals and important to the company. Therefore, customer service is paramount to this fire alarm company.

Fire alarm maintenance or as it is sometimes known as a fire alarm  service is vital elements in ensuring any Fire alarm or security system remains effective and trouble free in operation in order that the integrity of the fire alarm system is preserved at all times. To these ends Fire Systems Ltd operate a comprehensive 24 hour, 365 days a year emergency fire service facility with highly trained engineers and operators available to assist with technical support, enquiries, or if necessary, attend the relevant site to rectify any faults or problems.

Fire Systems Ltd believe in providing the same level of customer care and service to all clients, large or small, whilst recognising that individual customers have diverse needs and wide ranging requirements which need to be addressed and actioned in a prompt and efficient matter.

Fire Systems Ltd  an independent fire alarm company, who can design and implement a fire detection service and maintenance package in accordance with your unique requirements and relevant regulations and are happy to discuss arranging fire alarm maintenance of existing installations.

Fire system ltd have been in the industry for nearly 20 years and has a good reputation as been a independent and competent fire alarm installer

Quite simply, preventative maintenance means peace of mind.

Why is a fire alarm required?

The answer to this question depends on a fire risk assessment, on the premises in question and the legal requirements. In large high-rise buildings, such  fire alarm systems are essential to warn all occupants that a fire or emergency situation exists and the fire alarm system is used to control evacuation in an orderly way. Large sites with a retained fire brigade may require the fire system to call the brigade and direct them to the area of risk. The property may have considerable intrinsic value and the insurers either require a fire detection system or may incentivise its use.

The building may be unoccupied for periods where equipment is
still powered and the owner wishes to ensure that if anything goes
wrong fire fighters are called to the scene in a timely manner.

Fire alarms are often used for other purposes as well as fire
detection and alarm, such as bomb alert signalling, Redcare and other monitoring systems for high risk equipment or places, emergency call systems  and even class change systems for schools.
Sometimes fire detection and fire alarms are used to
compensate for structural fire protection shortcomings or to give
special cover for items of high value. Whatever the reason,
an automatic fire detection and a fire alarm generally provides
a network of manual call points, fire sensors and alarm warning
devices over the area covered. It is, in effect, the eyes and mouth and warning system of the building to constantly monitor the building and warn if a fire breaks out, or is suspected. In the same way we do if we see flames or smell burning.

A Fire alarm company such as Fire Systems Ltd, is a London based fire alarm installer, installer wireless fire alarms as well as offer fire alarm maintenance.

Fire Systems Ltd and the Regulatory Reform Order

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the Fire Law that applies to the premises.

In the Order "responsible person" means in relation to a workplace, the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his control. Article 5 of the Order set ''Duties under this Order" as follows:
Where the premises are a workplace, the responsible person must ensure that any duty imposed by articles 8 to 22 or by regulations made under article 24 is compiled with in respect of those
premises.
Article 9 of the Order requires the responsible person to carry out a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment of the fire risks on the premises. What form the fire risk assessment takes will be dependent on the type and size of premises or undertaking concerned. What is suitable and sufficient for one type of premises will not however be sufficient for another.

The further requirements of the Fire Safety Order should be considered and necessary actions taken for full compliance.
Compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is a dynamic process; the responsible person must ensure constant assessment of the existing hazards, the effect of changes to
the procedures, facilities and fire safety provisions in the premises, and take further actions as necessary to ensure the protective and preventative measures remain adequate.

Fire Systems Ltd will provide the required fire safety training for all employees to include the following appropriate to the responsibilities of the individuals in the event of a fire. E.g. Employees with no control
responsibility should be trained in items "a to j", and for those with control responsibility it should be all
items with necessary amplification:
a) The action to take on discovering a fire
b) The location of and how to operate fire alarm call points
c) The fire alarm evacuation signal - bells, siren or other means
d) The evacuation procedure to the Assembly Point of Safety including safety procedures
e) Identification of the escape routes - the meaning of running men and arrows
f) The importance of general fire safety and housekeeping
g) The importance and functions of fire resisting doors
h) The NO SMOKING policy
i) Care of electrical equipment, cables and connectors
]) Instruction on the types of fire extinguisher and how to use them
k) The duties of staff personnel with specific fire related duties
I) Arrangements for the fire safety evacuation of disabled employees
m) Arrangements for the safe evacuation of disabled members of the public
n) How to call the Fire Brigade to an incident
o) How to report to the Senior Fire Officer on their arrival

Training should be given to all new employees on their general induction and it should be repeated for all employees at least annually.

Fire Systems Ltd will provide a fire logbook, for fire safety record keeping. This logbook should be kept in the Workplace. It will be used to record the result of all checks, inspections and service of
fire alarms, and other equipment and systems, and the training provided to employees,

Weekly fire alarm testing, and fire alarm maintenance forms part of the RRO, along with monthly testing of the emergency lighting and annual inspection of the fire extinguishers. All fire detection should also be testing at least once annually.

Fire Systems Ltd is a fire alarm installer and installs wireless fire alarms, as well as wired conventional fire alarm systems.

Is the UK Fire Alarm equipment better than what is Available in Germany?

I have worked on Fire Alarm Systems in the UK and in Germany, and I would have to say that the UK fire alarm equipment appears to be far superior to what is available in Germany.

In the UK, a fire alarm manufacturer can make just the fire alarm panels, such as Kentec or Advance Electronics. The panels are then designed to work with various fire alarm protocols such as Apollo or Hochiki. Therefore, all there R&D resources are used to produce very advanced fire alarm panels.

However, in Germany, the manufacturer is responsible to making the complete fire alarm system. You cannot buy the fire alarm panel from one manufacturer and the fire detection from another.

As for the wireless fire alarm sector, once again the UK is way ahead of Germany and from what I can see, well ahead of China as well.

Being a London based fire alarm company Fire Systems Ltd, specialises in all types of fire alarms, especially wireless fire alarm systems and purchase the majority of our equipment from the UK.

Our selection of fire detection is usually Apollo or Argus protocol. We use Apollo for the wired fire alarms, and Argus for the wireless fire alarms, and are very happy with the results.

What is deemed a fire alarm false alarm?

Please see below my response to a client’s accusation of a wireless fire alarm system installed by Fire Systems Ltd.

“As for your terminology of “false alarms”, you cannot always presume a fire alarm activation is a false alarm because you have been unable to find the reason why the fire alarm system activated.

There have been occasions when the fire alarm system has not been managed correctly and fire alarm activations investigated in the proper matter.

After having discussions with me regarding the so called “false alarms”, I informed you of the correct procedure of what to do in the event of a fire alarm activation. You followed the procedures given and called us out straightaway as instructed following a so called “false alarm”. Our engineer on two occasions identified the fire alarm activations due to the building conditions (damp or water dripping from a smoke detector and cobwebs covering another detector) activating the fire alarm. The engineer’s reports and pictures were emailed to you.  On both occasions, you would not have been able to find the cause of the so called “false alarms” and would have blamed the system. I have to ask myself for those to incidents alone, how many times they had activated the fire alarm, you then blamed the fire alarm for not working correctly, reset the fire alarm, only for the same thing to happen over and over again until you had complained to us. Therefore, my point is, unless a proper investigation has taken place after a fire alarm activation you cannot always say it was a false alarm.”

I also had to inform the client about their legal responsibility of having a fire alarm maintenance contract in place.

As you can see the client presumes that because the fire alarm activates, and he is not always able to find the cause, (or in some instances, I am not convince they even go and investigate), that the wireless fire alarm is at fault.

The fire alarm installer, Fire Systems Ltd installed the system to all the required standards, but the client appears to be unwilling to manage his system correctly.

What is involved in a Risk Assessment?

Fire Safety RRO 2005

• fire alarm systems within the building (the fire alarm, portable fire extinguishers and emergency lighting)
• Is Fire detection required and what type
• fire procedures
• the building fabric (how it may react in a fire)
• building occupancy
• fire training of staff personnel
• the contents and/or stock held within the building
• the possibility or arson
• the Disability Discrimination Act
• Fire Safety maintenance. Such as fire alarm maintenance, fire extinguisher maintenance, Emergency lighting, weekly fire alarm testing.

There are in all four possible options open to the “Responsible Person” when considering Risk Assessment:

1. Do nothing or do it yourself
2. Apply the local Fire & Rescue website checklist approach
3. Employ your own competent Fire Safety specialist
4. Engage a qualified and competent Fire Risk Assessor

Options 1 and 2 may well place the “Responsible Person” in a difficult and uncomfortable position, as well as possibly being outside the law.

Options 3 or 4 will ensure the “Responsible Person” is taking a proven route to complying with the law as well as protecting the building, its occupants and the business.

The Fire Risk Assessment is a living document and will need regular updating to maintain its effectiveness, at least annually but much more if you have a large or complex property.

A Fire risk assessment is a legal requirement, and will help you identify if a fire alarm is required. Installing the right type of fire alarm system is important and a competent fire alarm installer is important to ensure the fire alarm system installed complies with the relevant standards.

Fire alarms and the Regulatory Reform Order

A Fire Risk Assessment forms part of a legal procedure that is required under the law. The piece of legislation that this Fire Risk Assessment is under is the RRO “Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and is a legal requirement.

A Fire Risk Assessment looks at the need for a fire alarm, fire detection, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, escape routes and fire safety requirements throughout the premises.

One fire alarm company that offers a fire risk assessment as part of their portfolio is Fire Systems Ltd.

Under the  RRO, you legally have to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment by a competent person. By having a Fire Risk Assessment done, you have complied with this part of the RRO.

The next part is as follows; the Fire Risk Assessment will highlight the areas where you are not complying with the fire safety requirements for your premises.

Now by law you have a legal responsibility to rectify all points highlighted within the Fire Risk Assessment to ensure your premises is deemed safe for you, your staff and visitors to your shop.

If your existing Fire alarm system does not comply with BS5839-1 and it is required for commercial premises, you have a legal obligation to upgrade your fire alarm to a wireless fire alarm or a standard wired fire alarm in accordance with BS5839-1.

Routine fire alarm maintenance will be required, and again this is a service that is provided by Fire Systems Ltd.

For advice on what type of fire alarm to install, whether it be a wireless fire alarm or a standard fire alarm the choice is up to the individual concerned, as both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

Fire Alarm Systems - Insurance Requirements

Insurance companies requirements normally relate to the fire protection of property rather than life.

The objective is therefore to detect fire as early as possible and this is usually done by a fire alarm system and instigate measures to put the fire out using fire extinguishers if possible and with the minimum amount of damage.

With today’s technology, the fire alarm can be a wired fire alarm system or a wireless fire alarm system. Both types of system conforms with the relevant standards.

The type and level of fire alarm is usually determined after a fire risk assessment has been undertaken.

Generally a system designed for property protection will also give
protection of life as well but the essential difference is that the
requirements for property protection are driven from the insurance
company’s desires rather than law. BS5839-1 covers both life and
property fire protection, so is equally useful in both cases.

It is a legal requirement that a wireless fire alarm or a wired fire alarm have a fire alarm maintenance contract in place as the fire alarm must be serviced and maintained to BS5839-1. A London based fire alarm company Fire Systems Ltd, is a fire alarm installer and maintenance company and can provide all these services on your behalf.

Weekly testing of the fire alarm is also important.

Fire Warden responsibility on hearing the fire alarm

The principal duties of the fire warden are to;
* take appropriate and effective action if a fire occurs or the fire alarm is activated.
* ensure that escape routes are available for use,
* identify fire hazards in the workplace,
* record and report their observations,

If a fire is discovered or the fire alarm system activates, the fire warden should:
* ensure that the fire alarm has activated and the alarm has been raised,
* check that fire action plan is followed.
* evacuate staff from the building or area involved,
* check that any staff or visitors with disabilities are assisted as planned,
* call the reporting centre and give details of the location, severity
and cause of the fire, if known. if the fire alarm system is connected to a central station monitoring centre, the fire brigade will be notified automatically.  
* fight the fire with a fire extinguisher, if it is safe to do so,

When the evacuation signal is heard, the fire wardens should ensure that everyone leaves the area as quickly and orderly as possible, ensuring that security measures, such as closing fire-resistant safes, are undertaken, if this can be done without causing a significant delay in the evacuation procedure. Electrical equipment should also be turned off and windows shut if possible.

When the area for which the warden is responsible has been evacuated, a rapid, methodical search should be undertaken to ensure that on-one remains in storerooms, toilets and similar areas.

The fire warden should then go to the assembly point and take part in the roll call procedure there. It may be the fire warden’s or security officer’s tasks to ensure that no-one re-enters before the fire brigade officer gives permission to re-enter the building. The signal for this is went the fire alarm system has been silenced.

All fire wardens should be trained as to how to carry out a weekly fire alarm test.

The fire alarm system should be have a fire alarm maintenance in accordance with the standards. All the fire detection should be tested at least once per annum.

Fire Systems Ltd is a London fire alarm company and specialises in wireless fire alarm and fire protection, and is an independent fire alarm installer.

Grades of fire systems B & C

Grade B: a fire detection and fire protection including smoke detectors, alarm sounders and fire panel control and indicating equipment which either conforms to BS EN 54-2 (power supply to BS EN 54-4) or to a simpler type laid out in annexe C of BS 5839-6.

Grade C: Is not a fire alarm system as we know it and consist of fire detectors and sounders (which may be combined in the form of smoke or heat alarms) connected to a common power supply with both 240v mains and a standby power supply, with an element of central control – for example a small dedicated fire control panel.

Both systems will require maintenance, Grades A and B will require a fire alarm maintenance contract in accordance with BS5839-1. Grades C will not require a fire alarm maintenance, unless there is a fire alarm control panel, otherwise it should be maintained on an annual basis.